Elijah Mountain Gem Mining

I have a secret. It’s kind of embarrassing for me to admit this but It’s time I finally come clean. Every time we travel in North Carolina, I just have to stop and do it. Just anticipating the weight of the bucket excites me. What treasures are lurking inside I wonder. The ice cold water flowing in the flume and rushing over my manicured fingers panders to the little girl in me. I plop a handful of soil from my bucket onto the screen and lower I it into the water, ahhhh, a huge sigh of relief…I’m gem mining AGAIN!

There it is, I love gem mining. I found a gem of a mine at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine in Hendersonville. You are transported back in time and for a brief moment you feel like you’re are a real prospector mining for real gem stones. You might find Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnets, Aventurine, Sodalite, Peridot, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine, Topaz, Peacock Copper or even gold depending on the bucket of fun you purchase. And don’t worry about the weather ruining your mining plans since they have outdoor water flumes and indoor flumes that are open daily. So, if the family is getting cabin fever, this the perfect little jaunt to take.

The store is huge and filled with surprises. Right in the center is a faux bridge with a fish pond filled with koi and goldfish. All around the pond are gorgeous rocks and unique pieces of artsy fartsy rock creations.

In the back, you can pick a geode and have a staff member put the geode in this antique contraption that breaks the geode right in half. You end up holding your breathe when they break it open, cuz you have no idea what colors you will find inside your geode. I stood there a good long time just watching the faces of people getting their geode opened. I was clapping with delight and the geodes weren’t even mine.

Okay, deep breath, they have my second favorite activity right there at the mine….feeding baby animals!!! On the right hand side they have rare and unique goats to pet and feed. I squealed so loudly, the woman behind the counter ran over and just gave me food so I could feed the goats. You can actually see the baby goats from the parking lot! You have to see these beautiful animals.

The staff was attentive and made everyone feel right at home the minute they crossed the threshold. It was southern hospitality at its very best. Voted TripAdvisor’s #1 Mine in NC!